A. The most common errors found on applications are:

• missing information on the mandatory and general portion of an application, e.g., no signatures;
• no payment, wrong amount of money, wrong form of payment,
  e.g., nonresidents paying with personal checks;
• missing supplemental information, e.g., copy of Hunter Safety Certificate.

A. ALS stands for Automated Licensing System. An ALS number is assigned by date of birth, followed by 1-3 digits sequentially. All applicants applying since 2001 will have an ALS number. If you have not applied since 2001, you will be assigned an ALS number once you apply for or purchase a license. To look up an existing ALS number, click here.

A. The difference is:

• Nonresident Landowner Sponsor Deer Combination Licenses may be applied for when a Montana resident land owner is granting access to hunting on their property. The landowner must be registered with the Special Licensing Bureau. The landowner will send a certificate to each of the hunters who plan to apply and the applicant will send the certificate with their completed application. If drawn, the hunter must conduct all deer hunting on the landowner’s property. The Upland Game Bird & Fishing licenses that come with the deer combination license are not restricted to the landowner’s property.
• Landowner Preference is for landowners (resident or nonresident) to get enhanced opportunities in drawing certain special permits or licenses. Fifteen percent of each hunting district quota for deer B and antelope licenses, and for deer permits are set aside for landowners owning, or contracting to purchase, 160 acres or more of land used primarily for agriculture and located in that hunting district. Fifteen percent of each hunting district quota for elk licenses and permits are set aside for landowners owning, or contracting to purchase, 640 or more acres of land used by elk in that hunting district.

A. The general license year begins March 1st of each year. Over-the-counter licenses are available to purchase the third week in February.

A. The bonus point system is voluntary. You must indicate on the application that you wish to participate, and pay the $20 participation fee. The only way to earn a bonus point is to apply for a license, pay the $20 participation fee, and be unsuccessful in the drawing. You cannot just purchase a bonus point. By participating in the bonus point system any bonus points that you may have already accumulated will be used to increase your odds of drawing a license, and if you are unsuccessful, you will be awarded one bonus point which will improve your chances in future drawings. When participating in the bonus point system, your name will be placed in the drawing an additional time for each bonus point that you have previously accumulated. If you are successful in drawing a license and participating in the bonus point system, you will then lose all bonus points. An applicant participating in the bonus point system will receive either a license or a bonus point, not both. Party members may have different numbers of bonus points, but all members must participate in the bonus point system for the party to be able to earn or use bonus points. Party applications with differing bonus point participation will be split up. The number of bonus points applicable to a group of applicants who are applying as a party, is the total number of bonus points held by the members of the party, divided by the number of applicants in the group, rounded to the nearest whole number. You may skip two concurrent years of participation without forfeiting accumulated points, but if you skip the third year (or have errors that eliminate you from the drawing), your accumulated points will be lost. Rejection of an application because of applicant error is equivalent to failure to apply. Bonus points are non-transferable. FWP attempts to contact you each year to report your accumulated points. Bonus point status may be looked up online. It will be the hunter’s responsibility to report and prove any discrepancies. Successful combination license applicants will have the opportunity to participate in a bonus point system for special deer and elk permits. Unsuccessful combination license applicants will also have the opportunity to accumulate these bonus points but will not have an opportunity to draw the special permit. They will be given an application for these special permit bonus points after combination license drawing.

A. If you have not changed your residency status and are applying/purchasing online you can update your information at that time. If you have moved to another state, send an e-mail or call the Special Licensing Bureau at (406) 444-2950.

A. There are three ways to apply and/or purchase a drawing license:

• Purchase through FWP's Online Licensing System. For Outfitter Sponsor Licenses, the outfitter must be signed up to accept online outfitter applications. Nonresident Landowner Preference cannot apply online.
• Download a blank application here.
• Request a printed copy, either by e-mail or by calling the Special Licensing Bureau at (406) 444-2950.

A. Nonresidents can purchase SuperTag Lottery tickets while they are in Montana at any FWP office, a FWP provider (sporting goods stores, etc), or purchase online through the FWP Online Licensing System.

A. On August 8, 2011 leftover special permits and licenses that did not sell in our drawings will go on sale on a first come, first served basis. These are generally valid for antlerless deer, cow elk, and doe/fawn antelope. In addition some over-the-counter antlerless deer, cow elk, and doe/fawn antelope licenses will go on sale at the same time. A specific listing of these licenses and permits will be available earlier in August. These licenses and permits can be purchased online, over-the-counter, or by downloading a paper application (the latter is not recommended due to first come, first served basis).

A. Contact Special Licensing at (406) 444-2950 or by e-mail. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments on licenses, drawings, or this online information. Thanks.